How to Plant and Grow Daikon Radish

Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus

It has always seemed to me that daikon radish is one of the easiest fall crops to grow.

Sometimes I’ve sown seeds and forgotten about them, only to return to large white roots.

These radishes require little upkeep and store well. During the dark of winter, I love munching on them to add some zing to an otherwise dreary day.

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Also known as winter radish, daikon make a very good cover crop, helping to break up compacted soil in fallow beds.

They are just as easy to grow as the table radishes we all know and love.

If you’re ready to learn more about daikon and how to grow these tasty roots, here’s what I’ll cover:

Daikon is a specific type of radish characterized by its large root.

It’s no surprise that its name comes from two Japanese words: dai, which means large, and kon, which means root.

It also has a longer date to maturity than other types of radish, which makes sense for its larger size.

Like all radishes, it is a member of the Brassicaceae family. Daikon also goes by other names including white radish, Chinese radish, and Japanese radish.

Although daikon is widely grown and consumed throughout East Asia, it is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean.

These radishes soon made their way to countries including China, Japan, and Korea sometime during the third or fourth century.

Since then, they have been a mainstay in certain Asian cuisines, appearing in dishes including stews, stir fries, and ferments.

Daikon is a winter radish, meaning it grows best when it is allowed to mature in colder weather.

How to Sow

As with other root crops, these are best grown via direct seeding. The date when you should plant seeds depends on your growing zone.

Daikon radishes can be grown as annuals in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11.

Aim to sow seeds around two months before your predicted first frost date. This will ensure plants mature in time for harvest.

No matter where you are located, sow one seed every inch in rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Seeds should be planted at a depth of quarter to half an inch.

How to Grow

As mentioned above, this crop is best grown via direct seeding. Before you plant the seeds, you want to make sure you prepare the soil.

Daikon radishes grow best in soil with a pH of 5.8 to 6.8.

Although their roots can loosen compacted soil, if you’re growing these root crops to eat, they grow best where soil is already loose.

If your soil is compacted, consider loosening it with a broadfork before planting.

Since you will be harvesting the roots, avoid applying excessive amounts of nitrogen fertilizer. Too much nitrogen will grow large greens but small roots.

Choose a full sun to partial shade location for best results.

After you sow your seeds, make sure you keep the soil moist, and they will germinate within a few days. Within a week of germination, thin seedlings to four to six inches apart.

Cultivars to Select

Daikon come in three main types: oblong, tapered, and round.

Some are rounded with nearly the same circumference from top to root, others have more of a narrow and tapered shape similar to a carrot, and you can find those that are nearly spherical.

Cultivars also vary in root color, with most being some combination of white and light green.

Japanese Minowase

This heirloom variety produces oblong roots that can grow up to two feet in length. The roots are all white, and can be stored for multiple weeks after harvest.

‘Japanese Minowase’

Ready to eat in 45 to 60 days, ‘Japanese Minowase’ is adaptable to sun or shade.

Find seeds available at Eden Brothers in a variety of packet sizes.

Long

This extra long selection has white tapered roots with light green tops. It grows up to 14 inches long.

Long Daikon

Expect about 60 days to maturity. It can be grown in the spring as well as in the fall.

You can find packets of 300 seeds available at Burpee.

Red

This variety has oblong roots that grow five to eight inches long. The exterior of the roots is bright red while the interior ranges from white to pink.

Red Daikon

Red is an heirloom cultivar that you can expect to be ready to harvest in as little as 30 days.

You can find seeds available at True Leaf Market.

Watermelon

An heirloom variety with a round bulb, this type is the star of the show when added to any salad or platter of crudités.

White or light green on the outside, slicing into these roots reveals bright pink flesh that is reminiscent of a watermelon.

‘Watermelon’

These can be harvested when they reach golf ball size, or leave them in the ground longer for whopping grapefruit-sized roots. Expect 30 to 80 days to harvest.

Seeds are available from True Leaf Market.

White Icicle

Icicle radishes form white, narrow, tapered roots that reach about five inches in length at maturity. And this cultivar grows quickly – you can expect a harvest in just 27 to 35 days!

‘White Icicle’

With a mildly pungent flavor, Burpee rates this cultivar as “Best in Class.”

You can find packets of 650 seeds available from Burpee.

Pests and Disease

Pests generally don’t bother these root vegetables too much, there are some that still pop up occasionally.

Pests

Different types of insects may go after the leaves as well as the roots. Luckily, they don’t usually cause too much damage.

Cabbage Maggots

If you pull up your daikon only to discover that they are damaged, the cabbage maggot is likely to blame. These pests are the juvenile form of small flies.

An effective method of excluding insects from your crops is to use floating row covers.

Read more about cabbage maggot control here.

Flea Beetles

Flea beetles are little bugs that feed on foliage.

If you see small holes in the leaves, take a closer look. You will probably see the beetles themselves – they are tiny, up to a quarter of an inch in size.

Read more about flea beetles and how to control them here.

Harlequin Bugs

Harlequin bugs may look pretty, but they can really do some damage to your crops. They are orange and black with shield-shaped bodies, and they feed on leafy greens.

If you only see a few bugs on your plants, simply pick them off and place them in some soapy water.

If these pests take over your crop and require more intense intervention, they can be treated with a spray of neem oil, pyrethin, or insecticidal soap.

Disease

All parts of the daikon plant are susceptible to disease, both above and belowground. Again, these issues won’t usually prove to be too much of a problem for your crop.

Septoria Leaf Spot

If you see yellow spots with gray centers on your radish leaves, they are probably infected with this fungus.

The best treatment is to remove infected leaves and/or plants. This will stop the spread of the fungus.

Black Root Rot

This fungus attacks the roots, turning them black and distorted.

If it affects small seedlings, the plants may die. Unfortunately, this disease cannot be treated once it is spotted on your plants.

Harvesting

Check your seed packets for the estimated time to maturity of the cultivar you are growing.

Although daikon has more of a capacity to grow large while maintaining quality than traditional radish types, they can still become pithy and spongy if left to grow too big.

Be sure to harvest before this happens.

If hit with hard frosts, the radishes will become spongy or end up rotting. However, the time to harvest can be extended by protecting plants with floating row covers.

Varieties with long and slender roots are fragile and susceptible to snapping. You can prevent them from breaking by loosening the soil with a pitchfork, broadfork, or shovel.

Once your soil is adequately loose, grab the leaves where they meet the tops of the roots and gently pull. Now’s the moment when you get to see just how big the roots have grown!

When the plants are pulled from the ground, cut off the leaves at their base. With the leaves removed, the roots can be stored for multiple weeks under the right conditions.

To increase the storage life of your radishes, avoid washing the roots or leaves until you are ready to use them.

Daikon is best stored in a cold, moist environment. You can place the roots in the refrigerator with a damp paper towel or cloth.

Leaves can be stored in a zip-top plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator for a few days.

Preserving

These radishes are often fermented complete with their edible greens to be eaten as a type of pickle.

They are also used as a component of Napa cabbage-based kimchi.

Fermenting is a simple process that only requires three main ingredients: salt, water, and time.

You can read more about fermented foods on our sister site, Foodal.

Recipes and Cooking Ideas

Daikon radish is a versatile vegetable in the kitchen. It can be eaten raw or cooked, and all parts of the plant can be consumed.

You do not need to peel the roots, though some people choose to do so.

One simple way to eat daikon is to slice it up raw into discs that can be dipped in hummus or ranch dressing.

Alternatively dice it into half-inch cubes and then saute them in oil with garlic and ginger for a few minutes.

Remove from the heat and toss with rice noodles, soy sauce, sesame oil, and your favorite fresh diced hot pepper or hot pepper flakes.

Thanks to their rough texture, the leaves are best enjoyed cooked – sauteing and steaming works well. They make a great addition to Thai-inspired coconut curries.

Daikon sprouts can also be used in salads and sandwiches. See our article on sprouts and microgreens for more information.

Grow Some Giant Radishes

Now that you know how to plant and grow these large radishes, it’s time to add them to your fall garden. You’ll be impressed with their size and how easy they are to grow.

To see how this crop can fit in with the rest of your fall plans, check out some other cool-weather-loving crops here!

Are you growing daikon? How do you like to use the roots? Let us know in the comments section below!

And if you want to learn more about growing radishes, have a read of these guides next:

• How to Plant and Grow Radishes in Containers
• How to Control White Leaf Spots on Cruciferous Vegetables
• 25 of the Best Radish Varieties to Grow at Home